Relationships\u3csup\u3e1\u3c/sup\u3e Among Applications of Tacit Knowledge and Transformational/Transactional Leader Styles: An Exploratory Comparison of the MLQ and TKML

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to examine intercorrelational relations among the self-report behavioral construct Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) 5X transformational and transactional subscales and the Tacit Knowledge for Military Leaders Inventory (TKML) leader-level specific situational judgment test scenarios. Design/methodology/approach: Two leadership measures, the behavioral construct Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) and the cognitive construct Tacit Knowledge for Military Leaders Inventory (TKML) assess different aspects of how a leader functions and were administered to 125 active US Army officers representing three leader levels: platoon, company, and battalion. We examine the intercorrelational relationship between these two measures. Findings: Results show a correlational pattern that contours the evolution of a leader’s skills (from novice platoon leader to expert battalion leader), with the strongest correlation at the higher leader levels. Research limitations: The decision to restrict the number of TKML scenarios provided to respondents and to administer the MLQ and TKML to the same sample. Practical implications: Pairing the MLQ and TKML makes use of self-reported leader behaviors with maximal assessment scales that directly assess respondents’ understanding of what the best approaches to good leadership are. Social implications: Response patterns from both measures permits direct counseling on the misconceptions about leadership to create better leaders. Originality/value: No previous research has examined correlative relations among the scales/subscales of the MLQ and TKML

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